Bottle-shaped container having integral channel

ABSTRACT

A bottle-shaped container having an integral channel which forms a handle.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bottle-shaped container having an integral channel which forms a handle, and in particular a bottle-shaped beverage container.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Many bottle designs are disclosed in the prior art. Many are ornamental designs and some disclose bottles with various types of handles.

Beverage bottles are commonly sized for the human hand, but don't usually have a handle. The lack of a handle has created a significant industry in creating various forms of cup holders, bottle holders, and backpack sleeves to accommodate this design choice.

Bottles for holding dishwashing liquid or bleach do have handles which are integrated into the bottle design. However, many of these handles significantly change the shape of the upper part of the bottle and create problems in packaging and shipping by creating bottle profiles which are not uniform and which do not stack efficiently.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, provided herein is a blow-molded bottle-shaped beverage container which is easier to hold, carry, and drink from, which has a longitudinal axis, said bottle-shaped beverage container including a body having a base closing one end of said bottle-shaped container, a cylindrical sidewall projecting from said base, a dome with a finish located at an opposite end of said bottle-shaped beverage container, and an integral channel disposed within said bottle-shaped shaped beverage container, said channel extending laterally from a first section of sidewall to a second section of sidewall to form a handle.

The blow-molded bottle-shaped beverage container may be made from a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, high density polyethylene, and co-polymers.

Preferably, the channel has diameter of from about 2 cm to about 3 cm, and further details are provided below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a bottle-shaped container of the present invention and shows the integral finger channel.

FIG. 2 is a front side view of a water-bottle embodiment of a bottle-shaped container having integral finger channel.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a bottle-shaped container having integral finger channel.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of a bottle-shaped container having integral finger channel.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a soda-bottle embodiment of a bottle-shaped container having integral finger channel.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a sport-drink embodiment of a bottle-shaped container having integral finger channel.

FIG. 7 is a front view of an embodiment of a bottle-shaped container having integral finger channel in a beverage bottle having a reclosable nozzle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the figures, FIG. 1 shows the integral finger channel as a through-aperture or cavity which extends all the way through the bottle-shaped container, thus creating a handle which is integrated into the bottle design.

The channel is sized to at least one adult-sized finger. In a preferred embodiment, the channel is from about 2 cm in diameter to about 3 cm in diameter. It is also contemplated that the channel may vary slightly in diameter along the length, e.g. hyperbolic.

In a preferred embodiment, the channel is off-center. Thus, where a container or bottle is along a longitudinal axis, the channel is oriented along a lateral axis. Where the channel is off-center, the channel is axially along a line which is “off center”, or positioned adjacent to, an imaginary center line spanning the diameter of a cross section of the container. Along the longitudinal axis, the “height” of the channel in respect of the overall size of the container is such that the channel is positioned in the upper most half, or top half of the container (including the half-way point). In a preferred embodiment, the channel is located at about the “⅔ point”, or where the ratio of container above to container below is 2:3. This location provides a channel in a stable location and allows the hand and remaining fingers to grasp a center, and thus stable, section of the container.

In the off-center embodiment, the section of bottle which spans the outer distance may be hollow or may be solid. In use, a person grasping the bottle could put either a finger or thumb through the hole. However, in the off-center embodiment, if the index finger is used, the channel would be away from the person holding the bottle, and if the thumb is used, the channel would be near the person holding the bottle. It is also contemplated that the channel/spanning section may be used to clip the bottle for attachment purposes. In a preferred embodiment, a carabiner (caribiner) can be used to attach to the bottle-shaped container.

FIG. 2 shows the channel extending all the way through the container. FIGS. 3 and 4, a top and bottom view of a bottle-shaped container, shows how the “handle” is truly integral to the container design and does not distort the container profile. This provides the functionality of a handle without sacrificing efficient packaging.

The materials which can be used to manufacture the bottle may include plastics, ceramics, glass, and metals. In a preferred embodiment, the container is made from P.E.T. (polyethylene terephthalate). Other polymers, such as polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, high density polyethylene, and co-polymers, are also contemplated as within the scope of the invention.

Methods of making the container, when it is made from plastic, include blow molding, and specifically injection blow molding, extrusion blow molding, or stretch blow molding.

It is contemplated that FIG. 5 shows one of many possible variations, a soda-bottle embodiment of a bottle-shaped container having integral finger channel. FIG. 6 is a front view of a sport-drink embodiment of a bottle-shaped container having integral finger channel. FIG. 7 is a front view of a further embodiment of a bottle-shaped container having integral finger channel in a water or beverage bottle having a reclosable nozzle.

It will be clear to a person of ordinary skill in the art that the above embodiments may be altered or that insubstantial changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is determined by the scope of the following claims and their equitable Equivalents. 

1. A blow-molded bottle-shaped beverage container having a longitudinal axis, said bottle-shaped beverage container including a body having a base closing one end of said bottle-shaped container, a cylindrical sidewall projecting from said base, a dome with a finish located at an opposite end of said bottle-shaped beverage container, and an integral channel disposed within said bottle-shaped beverage container, said channel extending laterally from a first section of sidewall to a second section of sidewall to form a handle.
 2. The blow-molded bottle-shaped beverage container of claim 1, wherein the container is made from a polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, high density polyethylene, and co-polymers.
 3. The blow-molded bottle-shaped beverage container of claim 1, wherein the container is made from polyethylene terephthalate.
 4. The blow-molded bottle-shaped beverage container of claim 1, wherein the channel has diameter of from about 2 cm to about 3 cm. 